Why Do I Have Leaking Gutters?
You may not notice, but gutters play an integral role in keeping your house and foundation safe from water intrusion.
However, leaking gutters can cause just the opposite, and that too at a large scale. From emitting a foul odor to encouraging mold and bacteria infestation, clogged gutters need an immediate fix.
As such, we recommend calling a professional plumber or plumbing company to fix leaking gutters at home. Only they can analyze the issue at hand and fix it once and for all.
But if you’re wondering, “Why do I have leaking gutters in the first place?” here’s what you need to know…
Reasons You Have Leaking Gutters
The main culprit behind your loose gutters is usually lack of proper maintenance. So, here are some factors you need to keep in mind to maintain your gutters and prevent plumbing issues in the future…
1. Old Gutters
Typically, a gutter system should last for two decades. So, if your gutters have passed the said timeline, you’re bound to witness water leaks, rust and corrosion, and other gutter problems. In such situations, the best solution is to get the entire gutter section replaced.
However, if the gutter has a hole or is broken in a particular section, you may opt for a silicone waterproof sealant for gutter repair. And if you’re lucky, the silicone sealant may prolong the life of the gutter system and save you from costly repairs!
2. Hardware Malfunction
Gutters are attached to your house with the help of “hangers,” which may become loose over time. This, in turn, causes the gutter system to disintegrate and disconnect from the house.
So, it’s not just the gutters but also the hangers that you should maintain. They may deteriorate with excessive pressure from accumulated leaves and debris, improper spacing, and more.
3. Clogged Gutters
This is one of the most common reasons why your gutters are leaking. As in the case of hangers, the gutters also get clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris. This increases the weight in the gutter system and may cause serious damage.
Moreover, this blocks the water flow, making it spill from the gutter onto the foundation of your house. To prevent such situations, you can invest in a gutter cleaning session twice a year, preferably during spring and autumn.
Installing leaf guards is another effective way to keep your gutters free from debris. And you’ll be surprised to know that most leaf guards do not require much skill or power tools for installation.
4. Improper Hanging
If you notice your gutters leaking on a day of heavy rainfall and not on other days, it is highly likely that the pipes are not hung properly. This implies that the angle of the gutters is not suitable for the proper flow of rainwater.
As a result, the downspout will not function well, as, during heavy rainfall, the amount of water that gets into the gutter is more than what reaches the downspout. To solve this issue, you can contact a professional plumber or gutter installer to adjust the angle or any other components if necessary.
5. Separated Joints
Like every other plumbing fixture, gutters consist of different parts which may lose connection over time. Regular wear and tear and harsh weather conditions can make the joints loosen up, eventually causing the gutters to sag.
Although a leaky gutter with loose joints is usually fixed by caulking the affected area, in case of serious damage, you may have to get a new gutter section installed. We also recommend getting the joint fasteners inspected annually to avoid any major water damage.
How To Clean Clogged Gutters?
Since cleaning gutters, in case of minor issues, is the most common and doable solution, we’ll be explaining the step-by-step process here. Do keep in mind that it is not a permanent solution and something that you’ll have to do regularly to maintain the rain gutters.
Step 1
Check if you have a sturdy, extendable ladder and a suitable area to place it. Ensure that there are no landscaping rocks below the ladder. We suggest using a ladder stabilizer for better sturdiness and safety. Also, spreading a tarp underneath can help protect your lawn/backyard.
Once you’ve taken all the safety precautions, make sure that you’re dressed appropriately. Cleaning the gutter is a messy job, so we suggest wearing rubber gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, work pants, etc.
Step 2
Use a plastic scoop to remove the accumulated dirt in the gutter. If you don’t have a proper gutter scoop, you could use a toy shovel or a kitchen spatula- just anything that can scoop the gunk without damaging the gutter.
Step 3
Now, use a garden hose to clear any remaining gunk from the gutters and downspouts. Doing so will also let you notice any gutter leaks that need to be fixed immediately.
Step 4
Next, you can repair any saggy areas with the help of gutter hangers. Although this may be tricky at first, practice will definitely make you perfect!
FAQs About Leaking Gutter
1. Is it normal for gutters to leak?
Yes. Like machines deteriorate with time, your plumbing fixtures, drainage system, and gutters lose their ruggedness after years of continuous use. In fact, your gutter is more prone to damage due to rain and wind damage.
3. How often should I clean my gutters?
Ideally, you should clean your gutters twice a year. However, if you don’t have many trees around the house, you can reduce the cleaning frequency to once a year.
Final Words
Most gutters have a shelf-like, so someday or the other, you will have to get them replaced. However, regular cleaning and maintenance go a long way in preventing clogs, gaps, cracks, and other problems.
But if the leaking persists, it is best to contact a professional plumbing company that can offer emergency services at affordable prices.